Solar power is on the rise but there's a problem threatening how renewable solar energy is
But there’s a problem threatening how renewable solar energy is: dust. Photovoltaic soiling is when dust, pollen, or other particles accumulate and settle on the surface of a solar panel.in the U.S., this layer of grime lowers the light-harvesting ability and efficiency of a solar panel, leading to an energy loss of 7 percent in some parts of the U.S. to as high as 50 percent in the Middle East.
on Friday, researchers at MIT created a system that removes dust using a shocking little phenomenon that surrounds you every day: static electricity. An electrode passed over a solar panel gives an electrical charge to the dust particles at the panel’s surface. Another electrode at the panel’s glass cover sends its electric charge to the panel’s surface.
This technique mainly works because 80 percent of dust particles contain a mineral called silica, an insulating material that acquires electrical charge because it absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment. As long as there’s enough humidity in the air , there’s enough moisture for the silica to absorb, Panat said. Fortunately, too little moisture in dry regions like in the desert doesn’t pose that much of a problem since humidity tends to fluctuate where it’s highest at night.
While it’s hard to say when exactly this waterless solar panel cleaning system will be available—Panat said his team recently submitted a pending patent—he is optimistic of the prototype’s scalability and future for upcoming field tests.
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